Poetry Unit: Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

[TeacherShelly]

I just discovered the book, Love that Dog by Sharon Creech. It is ideal for use in a poetry unit. It is so touching and heartwarming! The best part is how the narrator is an elementary school boy who does not want to write poetry.

[Ima Teacher]

I've used it with my 7th graders for several years. I tie it into my entire poetry unit. I just got a Donors Choose project funded for the sequel, Hate That Cat.

I love Sharon Creech books.

[TeacherShelly]

Great, Ima! Question. HOw did you do a DOnors Choose for something as inexpensive as a book? Oh, a class set?

[Ima Teacher]

I got a class set of books and the book on CD.

[Mark94544]

I absolutely loved this book.

I noticed that the book was quite popular among middle-school teachers when I was subbing (2002-2004), mostly in 6th grade. Some used it as a read-aloud, others had multiple copies for independent reading, and the students also loved the book.

HarperCollins has a free PDF teacher's guide for this book; the same file is also available at the author's web site; Scholastic also offers a nice "concrete poetry" PDF handout extending the theme of the book.

[TeacherShelly]

Thanks, Mark!

Ima, I just submitted a Donors Choose project for a class set of the book, plus the Hate That Cat book in a class set. I also put in two books that I love but have only borrowed: Kids' Poems; Teaching Second (and Third and Fourth) Graders to Love Writing Poetry, by Regie Routman. Highly recommended for the younger grades!

[jojo808]

Thanks for the idea!